Park ranger demographics and statistics in the US
Park ranger demographics research summary. Zippia estimates park ranger demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our park ranger estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about park rangers after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 14,222 park rangers currently employed in the United States.
- 33.8% of all park rangers are women, while 66.2% are men.
- The average park ranger age is 41 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of park rangers is White (91.9%), followed by Unknown (2.9%), Hispanic or Latino (2.2%) and Asian (1.4%).
- Park rangers are most in-demand in Denver, CO.
- New York, NY pays an annual average wage of $55,051, the highest in the US.
- In 2022, women park rangers earned 104% of what men earned.
- Alaska is the best state for park rangers to live.
- Park rangers are 65% more likely to work at government companies in comparison to private companies.
On this page
Park ranger demographics by:
Park ranger gender statistics
33.8% of park rangers are women and 66.2% of park rangers are men.
- Male, 66.2%
- Female, 33.8%
Park ranger gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Male | 66.2% |
| Female | 33.8% |
Park ranger gender pay gap
Women earn $1.04 for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$40,294
Female income
$41,760
Park ranger gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in park ranger positions over time. Currently, 33.8% of park rangers are female.
Park ranger gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 72.23% | 27.77% |
| 2011 | 71.56% | 28.44% |
| 2012 | 70.97% | 29.03% |
| 2013 | 69.48% | 30.52% |
| 2014 | 67.91% | 32.09% |
| 2015 | 70.92% | 29.08% |
| 2016 | 65.31% | 34.69% |
| 2017 | 58.91% | 41.09% |
| 2018 | 68.02% | 31.98% |
| 2019 | 61.91% | 38.09% |
| 2020 | 65.43% | 34.57% |
| 2021 | 66.19% | 33.81% |
Park ranger related jobs gender ratio
We compared park rangers with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, procurement forester and field agronomist have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Behaviorist | 18% | 82% |
| Chronic Disease Epidemiologist | 25% | 75% |
| Collector Of Aquarium Specimens | 27% | 73% |
| Park Ranger | 66% | 34% |
| Forestry Consultant | 93% | 7% |
| Field Agronomist | 94% | 6% |
| Procurement Forester | 95% | 5% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Park ranger demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among park rangers is White, which makes up 91.9% of all park rangers. Comparatively, 2.9% of park rangers are Unknown and 2.2% of park rangers are Hispanic or Latino.
- White, 91.9%
- Unknown, 2.9%
- Hispanic or Latino, 2.2%
- Asian, 1.4%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
- Black or African American, 0.5%
Park ranger race
| Park ranger race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 91.9% |
| Unknown | 2.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2.2% |
| Asian | 1.4% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 1.1% |
| Black or African American | 0.5% |
Park ranger race and ethnicity over time
See how park ranger racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Park ranger race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 92.92% | 1.93% | 0.83% | 1.98% |
| 2011 | 89.59% | 1.90% | 0.55% | 3.81% |
| 2012 | 90.66% | 2.22% | 0.57% | 3.64% |
| 2013 | 91.27% | 1.66% | 1.65% | 2.80% |
| 2014 | 92.28% | 1.65% | 0.38% | 1.80% |
| 2015 | 94.24% | 1.73% | 0.91% | 2.14% |
| 2016 | 90.12% | 2.78% | 0.33% | 5.00% |
| 2017 | 92.00% | 1.65% | 1.03% | 2.38% |
| 2018 | 93.40% | 1.72% | 1.08% | 2.83% |
| 2019 | 91.55% | 1.09% | 1.33% | 3.76% |
| 2020 | 91.90% | 0.86% | 0.86% | 2.86% |
| 2021 | 91.90% | 0.54% | 1.39% | 2.18% |
Park ranger wage gap by race
According to our data, black or african american park rangers have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Hispanic or latino park rangers have the lowest average salary at $38,861.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $39,419 |
| White | $39,687 |
| Black or African American | $42,033 |
| Asian | $41,568 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $38,861 |
Park ranger age breakdown
The average age of park rangers is 40+ years years old, representing 55% of the park ranger population.
Park ranger age breakdown
| Park Ranger Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 55% |
| 30-40 years | 28% |
| 20-30 years | 17% |
Park ranger educational attainment
The most common degree for park rangers is bachelor's degree, with 62% of park rangers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 18% and associate degree degree at 11%.
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Associate, 18%
- High School Diploma, 11%
- Master's, 5%
- Other Degrees, 4%
Park rangers by degree level
| Park ranger degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 62% |
| Associate | 18% |
| High School Diploma | 11% |
| Master's | 5% |
| Other Degrees | 4% |
Park ranger jobs you might like
Park ranger wage gap by degree level
According to the data, park rangers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $46,756 annually. With a Master's degree, park rangers earn a median annual income of $39,890 compared to $36,072 for park rangers with an Bachelor's degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $39,890 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $36,072 |
| Doctorate Degree | $46,756 |
Park ranger employment statistics
Most park rangers work for a government in the government industry.
Company size where park rangers work
Below, you can see the size of companies where park rangers work.
Park ranger jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 11% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 22% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 30% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 9% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 22% |
| > 10,000 employees | 5% |
Park ranger jobs by company type
Employees with the park ranger job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most park rangers prefer to work at government companies over private companies.
Park ranger jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 3% |
| Public | 3% |
| Private | 28% |
| Government | 65% |
Park ranger jobs by industry
The most common industries for park rangers are government, hospitality and non profits.
Park ranger industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Government | 58% |
| Hospitality | 10% |
| Non Profits | 6% |
| Finance | 4% |
| Education | 3% |
| Health Care | 3% |
| Professional | 3% |
| Retail | 3% |
| Manufacturing | 3% |
| Media | 1% |
| Utilities | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
| Fortune 500 | 1% |
| Technology | 1% |
Park ranger turnover and employment statistics
Park ranger unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for park rangers between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Park ranger unemployment rate by year
| Year | Park ranger unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1.52% |
| 2011 | 2.99% |
| 2012 | 2.09% |
| 2013 | 2.01% |
| 2014 | 2.52% |
| 2015 | 2.45% |
| 2016 | 1.08% |
| 2017 | 0.82% |
| 2018 | 3.57% |
| 2019 | 1.22% |
| 2020 | 1.32% |
| 2021 | 1.38% |
Average park ranger tenure
The average park ranger stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 4,442 park rangers resumes in Zippia's database.
Park ranger tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 42% |
| 1-2 years | 25% |
| 3-4 years | 12% |
| 5-7 years | 11% |
| 8-10 years | 4% |
| 11+ years | 6% |
Park ranger LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of park rangers that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Park Ranger | 8.40% | - |
| Contract Scientist | 8.45% | 51,771 |
| Molecular Modeler | 9.74% | 1,247 |
| Animal Nutrition Consultant | 19.06% | 8,186 |
Similar park ranger jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Contract Scientist | 8.45% | 51,771 |
| Molecular Modeler | 9.74% | 1,247 |
| Animal Nutrition Consultant | 19.06% | 8,186 |
Foreign languages spoken by park rangers
The most common foreign language among park rangers is Spanish at 56.0%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is German at 9.7% and French is the third-most popular at 9.7%.
- Spanish, 56.0%
- German, 9.7%
- French, 9.7%
- Russian, 3.4%
- Korean, 2.9%
- Other, 18.3%
Park ranger languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 56.0% |
| German | 9.7% |
| French | 9.7% |
| Russian | 3.4% |
| Korean | 2.9% |
| Other | 18.3% |
